Scout troop formed at Lavelle Prep

Girl Scouts from the John Lavelle Preparatory Charter School in Bloomfield, prepare to step off at the St. Patrickâs Parade along Forest Avenue. BELOW: Teachers Patricia Giordano, left, and Serena Brothers-Mohamed teach students the Girl Scout oath.

BLOOMFIELD -- If proof is needed that Girl Scouting builds character and fosters leadership skills, check out one of the borough’s newest Scout troops, Cadette Troop 5421, at the John Lavelle Preparatory Charter School.

It’s believed to be the first Staten Island Girl Scout Troop to be incorporated into the school day. The class meets three times a week for an hour during the school day, as part of the seventh- and eighth-grade curriculum.

Lavelle Principal Evelyn Finn, said she thought the troop would be a great way to help adolescent girls develop leadership skills, and help them achieve the school’s mission of preparing them for high school success and college.

Plans for the troop have been in the works ever since the school relocated this year to the Corporate Commons building at the Teleport. Lavelle had been sharing space with the Staten Island School for Civic Leadership in Graniteville.

About two-dozen girls are enrolled in the troop, under the guidance of teachers Serena Brothers-Mohamed and Patricia Giordano, and several parent volunteers.

The troop had a “pinning ceremony” on March 2, and two days later, made its first appearance, marching in Staten Island’s St. Patrick’s Parade with its banner.

Troop members have also volunteered to help around the school. On March 14, for example, the girls helped seventh-grade math teacher Jackie Garriga serve pizza and drinks to her classes which were celebrating Pi Day.

“It’s such an exciting time to become part of this great organization,” Ms. Brothers-Mohamed said, noting that the Girl Scout organization is celebrating its 100th anniversary.

“It’s such a great way to raise up the next generation of young women by using the Girl Scout motto and curriculum that have been promoting pride and building self-esteem in young girls for the last 100 years,” she said.

The girls, who come to school dressed in their uniforms with their pins on days when the troop meets, are already experiencing a sense of pride and accomplishment.

“I think being in the Girl Scouts is great,” declared seventh-grader Marissa Mauro. “It comes with lots of opportunities, such as community service hours. And being a Girl Scout looks great on a college application,” she added.

Eighth-grader Teree Davis said being a Girl Scout has helped her focus on her studies.

“I feel like the Girl Scouts is playing a big role in my life and attitude. My attitude used to be poor, but now about four weeks into being a Girl Scout, my attitude is starting to improve and so are my grades,” she said.

Her classmate, Isis Stanley, also credited Girl Scouts for changing her outlook.

“When I first started with the Girl Scouts, I didn’t want to be a part of it, but then I became inspired after the pinning ceremony. My fellow Girl Scouts started to treat me like family,” she said.

“ I feel like being in the Girl Scouts has boosted my self-esteem,” said eighth-grader Tatiana Ferreras. “I feel like I can help other girls with things I learned in the program. Being able to open up has made me very grateful.”

Seventh-grader Natalie Forde said she enjoys being in Girl Scouts “because we learn how to connect with others and become a sister to every Girl Scout.”

The girls just earned their first merit badge, the “Media Journey Monitor Award.” They had to complete three activities and a community activity relating to the media. Among other things, they had to track how much time during the day they each spend involved with the media, including time spent reading the newspaper, books and magazines, watching television, on the Internet, or on Facebook and Twitter.

The troop is planning to participate in a number of community projects, including a tree-planting day at Conference House Park in Tottenville and the Penny Harvest Run for Change next month, as well as the Girl Scout Centennial Celebration at the Staten Island Mall, New Springville, in May.